Silence in Nollywood as Dr. Funmilayo’s Exoneration Sparks Debate

Since the false rape accusation against popular social media figure Dr. Funmilayo was dismissed and he was publicly exonerated, millions of Nigerians have rallied behind him, celebrating his innocence and condemning the damage false allegations can cause.

However, a new debate is trending online: Why has no Nigerian filmmaker picked up his story?

Observers note that Nollywood is often quick to dramatize controversial or high-profile scandals, but in this case, there has been a conspicuous silence. Many Nigerians argue that if the story had ended differently—with a conviction or continued allegations—filmmakers might have rushed to portray it on screen.

Social media users are questioning whether the industry is uncomfortable with narratives that exonerate men or whether it is simply avoiding the controversy altogether.

Critics say this silence exposes a troubling double standard: “If the story had condemned him, it would be trending in a Netflix series by now. But since he was cleared, it seems no one wants to tell the redemption story,” one commentator noted.

For now, supporters of Dr. Funmilayo continue to amplify his voice online, insisting that his ordeal should be a lesson on due process, fairness, and the real consequences of false accusations.